Pilot Project With Fuel Cells Set Record - Over 4000 Running Hours
The pilot with hydrogen fuel cells at the chlor-alkali plant of Akzo Nobel in Delfzijl reached the mile stone of four thousand running hours. At this location a semi industrial pilot is running with an innovative power plant. With the reached number of operating hours the plant delivered over 200.000 kWh to the grid. The initiative is led by Akzo Nobel and NedStack, supported by SenterNovem.
This is claimed to be the first time that this technology has been implemented on industrial scale of this magnitude. The fact that the plant reached the mile stone of 4000 running hours is significant to NedStack and a worldwide first event to the whole fuel cell market.
Hydrogen is generated as a by-product during the production of Chlorine. The chlor-alkali plant of Akzo Nobel is an ideal location for the pilot. Knut Schwalenberg, Manager Chlorine, underlines the importance of working with closed systems at the start of the pilot. “The direct conversion of hydrogen, a by-product of the production process of chlorine, into electricity and recycling this electricity in the electrolysis process of our chlor-alkali plant is an ideal solution. As such we are able to close the cycle in our process. We see it as a promising development with focus on the future”.
It is expected that hydrogen technology becomes even more important in the future. Applying fuel cells in combination with hydrogen will not only applicable for industrial parties, but can also be used in back up power applications and the transport of persons and goods. By using hydrogen for city buses or canal boats the air quality improves in city centers. “During the opening of the PEM power plant in 2007 various companies have shown interest in the possibilities of this system”, says Frank Denys, hydrogen expert of SenterNovem. “We hope that by reaching this mile stone, 4000 running hours, other industrial parties become convinced of the advantages of the fuel cell technology!”
Source: Fuel Cell Today